Painkillers Increase Heart Attack Stroke Risks in Healthy Adults Health Discovery AARP Bulletin
Painkillers Increase Heart Attack, Stroke Risks in Healthy Adults - Health Discovery - AARP Bulletin
In the United States, naproxen and ibuprofen come in both prescription and over-the-counter versions while diclofenac and celecoxib are prescription only. The researchers tracked more than 1 million healthy Danes from 1997 to 2005. Since low-dose ibuprofen is the only NSAID available in Denmark without a prescription, they could track and compare those who took the drugs, most of them daily for about two weeks, with those who did not. Risks from different painkillers varied widely. Although the percentages of increased risk were large, the actual number of those affected was small. The researchers found: : A 29 percent greater risk of fatal or nonfatal stroke.
: Almost double the risk of death from heart disease.
: Results were inconclusive.
: No greater likelihood of heart-related problems and a slightly lower risk of death, leading the researchers to conclude that naproxen could be a safer alternative to other such painkillers.
If you routinely take one of these painkillers, bring up the question of whether you need to continue and, if so, at what dose. The study appeared in the June 8 online edition of the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. You may also like: Nissa Simon writes about health and science in New Haven, Conn.
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Common Painkillers Increase Heart Risks in Healthy People
List includes Aleve Advil Motrin and others
Healthy adults who reach for common painkillers to ease the twinges of everyday aches and pains could be setting themselves up for a or , according to recent research. Laurent Hamels/PhotoAlto/Corbis Is it better to take a pill for minor aches and pain, or live with the discomfort? Past studies clearly showed that long-term use of , including Advil, Motrin and Aleve, to relieve pain was linked to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke in those who already had heart disease. But now a study from Denmark reports that short-term use in healthy men and women who take those drugs for minor complaints also raises the risk. “If you use NSAIDs regularly to , talk with your doctor about reducing your other risks for heart disease with a heart-healthy diet, a good exercise program and possibly statins,” says Richard Stein, M.D., a cardiologist at New York University School of Medicine. “People should be aware that NSAIDs are not risk-free with respect to the cardiovascular system.” —Emil Loldrup Fosbøl, M.D. The painkillers are widely used to ease the discomfort of everything from arthritis to headaches and muscle strains. Five such drugs were included in the study: (Advil, Motrin), (Cataflam, Voltaren), (Aleve, Anaprox), (Celebrex) and rofecoxib (Vioxx), which was taken off the market in 2004 because of heart risks. “People should be aware that NSAIDs are not risk-free with respect to the cardiovascular system,” says research fellow Emil Loldrup Fosbøl, M.D., the study’s lead author. Next:Related
In the United States, naproxen and ibuprofen come in both prescription and over-the-counter versions while diclofenac and celecoxib are prescription only. The researchers tracked more than 1 million healthy Danes from 1997 to 2005. Since low-dose ibuprofen is the only NSAID available in Denmark without a prescription, they could track and compare those who took the drugs, most of them daily for about two weeks, with those who did not. Risks from different painkillers varied widely. Although the percentages of increased risk were large, the actual number of those affected was small. The researchers found: : A 29 percent greater risk of fatal or nonfatal stroke.
: Almost double the risk of death from heart disease.
: Results were inconclusive.
: No greater likelihood of heart-related problems and a slightly lower risk of death, leading the researchers to conclude that naproxen could be a safer alternative to other such painkillers.
If you routinely take one of these painkillers, bring up the question of whether you need to continue and, if so, at what dose. The study appeared in the June 8 online edition of the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. You may also like: Nissa Simon writes about health and science in New Haven, Conn.
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Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures